How hard is it to build a brick wall?

Question

I want to add a 3 foot wall around my cement patio. I have never laid bricks before.

Answer 1

its a little complicated but its not rocket surgury. i take it you are planning on laying it on the outside of the patio and not on the patio edge. dont know your weather, but here is how we would do it here. dig a footer 16 in. wide and 32 inches deep. pour 8 in. of concrete. rebar optional. lay 3 courses of 8 in. cement block. all these people talking about cinder block have no idea because they havent made cinder block for over 40 years. anyway, 3 courses will get you to ground level. im sure you will want to show brick on both sides. lay out your wall two brick wide and keep the joint between the two courses tight . this will make a better looking header course when you get to it. you should build a lead at both ends , this you will pull your line off of to lay the rest of the brick to. get a book or a mason if you dont know what a lead is. lay two courses side by side. turn the 3rd course so it lays across the double wall you just started. this will tie the two courses together. lay 5 more courses or so and throw another header course in . keep doing this until you reach your desired height. you will need to cap the wall with cement slabs or a course of solid brick or a rowlock course. if it were me id hire it out , we gotta eat too.

Answer 2

It's not too difficult...you have to mix the mortar...spread the mortar and lay the brick. But for step by step instructions go to Bob Villa's web page or another home web helper. You need a wheelbarrel, a level, a stringline, a tape measure, a trough, a striking iron, a hoe, bricks, mortar, water and some time

Answer 3

* STEP 1: Figure out where and why you want a wall: at the bottom of a gentle slope to create a new planting bed? Between two beds to provide contour and definition? (If the answer to this is "to keep my house from sliding down the hill," see Warnings below.)
* STEP 2: Decide on your building material - brick gives a formal elegance and stone a European air. Don't forget to check out the ever-increasing options in interlocking blocks available at home improvement and do-it-yourself stores.
* STEP 3: For reinforced walls you need the depth of footings and piers to equal the height of the wall.
* STEP 4: For example: A 3 foot wall. You need footing 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide to go the entire distance of the wall. The footing will make an L shape having the extra surface footing behind your wall.
* STEP 5: Lay the rebar flat in the bed of footings 2 inches above soil so concrete touches soil, rebar does not touch soil.
* STEP 6: Piers are 2 feet deep every 3 feet of wall and on every corner. Piers are set behind the wall below the bed of footing.
* STEP 7: Top the footing with cinderblocks that will be the same height as your wall.
* STEP 8: Rebar will go through the center of each cinder block.
* STEP 9: Fill cinder block with concrete.
* STEP 10: Reinforce each level of cinder block with rebar running horizontal and tied to the vertical rebar with tie wire.
* STEP 11: Once you create your cinderblock wall, you are ready to face it with whatever material you desire, like brick, stone, stucco, etc.

Answer 4

Can anybody give me an explanation behind whit I did? You see: Many years ago I punched a brick wall with a velocity I never knew I had & a many number of times without harming my fist in the slightest, how did i do it?

Answer 5

It's not that difficult.
Your best bet is go to Home Depot and see if they have a video (they have a LOT of great tutorials there!).
You want to rig up a string line in order to keep your wall straight. Don't rely on eyeballs - a lot of crooked walls were built that way :)

Answer 6

If you never laid bricks before I advise you to talk to a Professional Bricklayer. it is not as easy as some people Think.Also you will need certain tools & instructions.

Answer 7

problematic subject. try searching with google. just that could actually help!